Story Highlights

With seven newcomers, people don't know what to make of Arizona State's basketball chances next season. Willie Atwood likes it that way. The 6-foot-8 forward from Connors State College in Warner, Okla., on Thursday signed with the Sun Devils. He is one of four junior-college transfers to do so, joining wing Roosevelt Scott, guard Gerry Blakes and forward Savon Goodman.

Atwood, a third-team NJCAA All-American, discussed his decision:

What made you sign with ASU?

"I decided on Arizona State because we were cool with the coaching staff -- with all of them individually. And then the newcomers -- Gerry Blakes, Roosevelt Scott, Tra Holder and (Shaquielle McKissic), who's already there -- we all kind of connected with each other. I just felt like that's where I need to be. I think we can do something special. The last Sweet 16 team they had was based on four JUCO players, so I want do something special."

You're one of four junior-college players coming in. Have you guys talked about this?

"Yes, we talked about it. All of us were the top scorers on our team. Roosevelt was first-team All-Region. Gerry got Player of the Year in his region and I was Player of the Year in my region. We just got to find a way to put it together and win."

How would you describe your game?

"Versatile. If a big (post player) is going to guard me, I'm going to go right past him, If a wing guards me, I'll post up. I'm very high energy. I can play both forward positions and can guard any position. That's why (the ASU coaches) like me. I like the 4 (power forward) more because they can't guard me."

Your weight is listed at 215. Is that where you want to be next season?

"They said they want to keep me around 220 because they want to keep me running and moving. They don't want to put no bricks on me."

What was your situation coming out of high school in West Memphis, Ark.?

"I really didn't have any looks. I had Arkansas Little-Rock, Murray State, Arkansas State, and that was about it. I was real thin in high school. When I first got to junior college, my coach described me as a 'long, skinny, ball-handling guard.' But then I put on some weight and got my body right. And then I worked on my game a lot and turned into a dynamic scorer and a defensive presence. It all just came together and I started to get a lot more attention."

You've mentioned defense twice now. Is that something in which you take a lot of pride?

"You got to take pride in defense. Coach (Herb) Sendek told me next year we're going to press and trap a lot."

On Nov. 13, you scored 49 points in a 90-87 loss to Independence. You went 8 of 15 from the field and 33 of 37 from the foul line. What was that game like?

"It was a pretty much a normal game, I just got to the free-throw line a lot more. Their (post players) were kind of heavy and they couldn't keep up with me, so I faced them up. If I made a slight move, they would jump for it and then they fouled me or I got a bucket. It was just one of those games when coach kept going to me."

What did ASU tell you about playing time next season?

"They said it's wide open for everybody. They told me they're not going to promise anything. They want me to come in and work for it and if I do what I'm supposed to, I'll get the job I'm supposed to get."

With so many newcomers, ASU will be an unknown entering next season. Do you like that aspect?

"We need to be a mystery team because we're going to wake up a lot of people next year."